Something You Can Keep (Basch-Lili)

[switzerland]

He shook his head as a sign that he disagreed. “The sum is more than the individual parts, if I weaken myself for the added strength of five others, then the whole is stronger, ma'am.” His tone remained as polite as he could make it. His situations were never that cut and dry, but he wouldn't sacrifice himself for the fun of it. Within a painting, you see the whole thing before you take it apart and see if there are any areas with smudges or any small patches where the artist could have done better. As long as the majority looked fine, only discerning eyes would notice problems. And the snap judgment that everyone else made would color their over all feeling toward the work even if they did notice issues later.

“I don't have much occasion to really enjoy a cup that often, but even when I do, it's rarely of this quality.” The statement came close to him admitting that this break was good for him. And it wasn't that he didn't want to be thankful for her sake. Rather he had this idea that somehow he was proving his father wrong as long as this had no value to him. If he enjoyed himself, then he couldn't make that claim (though entertainment was never as valuable as work).

She smiled again, despite how deeply the date effected her. To most people it wouldn't have been that out of the ordinary and he had actually thought her first smile might have been more from satisfaction than actual gaiety. But the last two didn't strike him that way. Basch wasn't a playful man. He didn't want to make a game out of making her smile more. But if she happened to, that was alright. “That was very fortunate of them, to have each other and to have someone who remembers them both so fondly.” Basch assumed marriage was something he'd eventually fall in to. His father would out of the blue introduce him to his suitor and he'd just go with it.

“Not at all,” he replied. Basch had already conceded that point. He partially got out of the chair so he could more easily hand it to her. “Careful.” It wasn't heavy, but it wasn't without weight, either. He had no idea if it was fragile or solid.

[Lili Walser]

Lili merely tipped her head, then shook it, a soft expression on her face. "I shall bow to your more extensive knowledge of the situation, Lieutenant." Her voice, though quiet, was light, showing that she felt no upset at the discussion; she could only hope that he didn't, either.

"I am glad, then, that you approve." She couldn't imagine not having tea every day, even if oftentimes she had took tea by herself. She wouldn't ever ask Gilbert to leave work early, and she didn't socialize as much as she had before... before. There was just no joy in it, in having to act as though she were okay for all the other noblewomen. No, she'd rather stay at home with the people she trusted and cared for, and embroider or read or... or... well. Anything but pretend. She did that enough... After all, she couldn't let those she cared about worry about her. That wouldn't do.

"Yes... I..." She took a slow, softly shuddering breath. "You're right, of course, Lieutenant." A moment of hesitation, and then she quietly added, "Thank you." Even if he wasn't sure what he'd done to deserve the thanks, she wanted to let him know that she was grateful. It was nice, when someone didn't avoid saying something because they were afraid that she'd be upset by it. She'd never tell her staff or Gilbert that; she wouldn't want them to change. And it was kind of them, to make the effort. She wouldn't ever wish to seem ungrateful for it.

Carefully, she reached out both hands and took the package, unsure that one hand, unsteady as it was, would be enough. There was also that she didn't know whether it was heavy or light, fragile or not. Once she had it in her grasp, she lowered it to the table, sitting it down gently. It took her a moment before she could bring herself to untie the ribbon, so prettily was it wrapped, but her curiosity finally got the better of her. She lay the ribbon to the side neatly, and then folded the paper as well, before opening the box itself.

[switzerland]

Basch's supposed victory felt rather empty, but he emotionally clung to it anyway. The situation was awkward in so many ways that 'winning' the small debate had seemed more important than it was. He didn't like having issues that he couldn't properly confront and nothing that made him uncomfortable with this situation was within his ability to change.

He took that line with a little apprehension. He didn't want to assume that his opinion was anything near an expert's. He had only meant that it pleased him and had explained that by calling it high quality. It was possible that he enjoyed low quality brews and this just happened to suit that uncultured pallet. But then, no one would ever attempt to get that point across unless they wanted to offend their hostess. Additionally, he didn't really believe that was the case.

There was something about her responses that made what he had said seem coarse. Not that he doubted the sincerity of her thanks, but he picked up on a vibe that his words weren't the type that most people used in similar situations. “I apologize if I'm making you uncomfortable. I'm not well rehearsed in these types of affairs. Pardon me if I speak too candidly or comment on things I shouldn't.” His blessing, to be sure.

Given his opinion of the gift giver, Basch almost suggested she take less care in preserving the wrapping. He wondered if the Commodore had even had a hand in it. He would have picked out the gift, whatever it was, but that wrapping seemed like it had taken a rather deft hand.

When she had taken the gift out of the box entirely, she would find a hand painted, steam powered miniature carousel. If she turned it on, she would find that it played music through the same mechanics that music boxes used. Just like the real life versions, each section was filled with different animals, though each was sized to be rode by a man that could be no taller than a half dozen centimeters, as the entirety of the carousel stood at around 18 centimeters and was just about that in diameter.

[Lili Walser]

"N-no, Lieutenant... Don't apologize. There's no need to apologize for who you are." The small blonde looked up at him hesitantly, but there was honesty in her expression. "I... I am grateful, for what you said." She wasn't entirely sure how to put it into words, but she had to try, to clear up any confusion. "It... it's rare, that anyone will speak so openly about Mutti and Vati around me." Her expression this time wavered, but firmed somewhere around unreadable. "I... I can't help the fact that I miss them so... A-and I know the others are just trying to help... but... b-but..." She drew a soft, shuddering breath before continuing her sentence. "M-Memories are all I have left." Tears shimmered in her eyes, but she wouldn't let them fall. "S-so... I'm grateful for every memory... e-every time someone says or does something to remind me of
them... It just means that... that I remember them the same."

It took her a moment to regain her composure, but another soothing breath or so, and she once again had full control of her emotions. So much so that she felt safe reaching into the box to draw out the gift. She couldn't help her soft gasp of wonder at the miniature carousel she now held - and had soon placed on the table, afraid that she'd drop it. "Oh... it's beautiful..." Her fingers gently caressed one of the tiny horses. "O-oh, and look... they're all different animals." Her voice, soft as it was, was filled with wonder. Really, she'd never had something so intricate and beautiful given just to her.

It took her a moment to notice the switch to turn it on, but when she had, she couldn't resist. And then, perhaps for the first time in his presence, she truly smiled. She was completely delighted, watching it move, being able to see all the animals in turn. Lions, a tiger, horses, a unicorn, zebra, an ostrich... they were all so different. A few rotations later, and she looked up at Basch. "Please... if you would, when next you see the Commodore, please give him my sincerest thanks..." She paused, glancing again at the carousel. "And... thank you, Lieutenant, for taking your time to bring it here."

[switzerland]

It was strange for her to say that. He never believed in doing something like that, so to be reassured about the concept was interesting. Basch often had bouts of indecisiveness, but he always stuck by whatever decision he made because he made most of his decisions after carefully considering the pros and cons. That was one of his apprehensions about long conversations. Eventually you went to topics that you hadn't prepared for. Eventually something would have to be said off the cuff. Those decisions he wasn't always so comfortable with. And since he was the culprit behind her watering eyes, he had trouble owning his words despite her reassurance.

The gift was a lot more than he expected it to be. Had his father really been that close to her's? Basch's gifts from his father didn't have quite the head turning ability. Of course, he probably would feel strange owning something that decorative. His general furnishings were rather plain and mildly colored, something that colorful would stick out like a soar thumb. Still, it was interesting that he had decided to give her something like that.

But, it did make her smile. He had believed her previous expressions had been smiles. What she did then was quite in a League of its own. It was like he had witnessed three totally different types of grin, all in a very short amount of time. “I'll make sure to tell him. He would have wanted to see your reaction, but I'll relate it to him as best I can.”

He wondered when the next time he'd see the Commodore was. After this, he probably couldn't avoid it as he usually did. “And I'll try to see him soon so I'll remember.”

Basch paused before answering her gratitude toward him. He guessed this hadn't been bad so far. “It was no trouble, I'm glad you like it.” His day of training taken away from him for the happiness of one person. That was a hard sell. She did seem like it had made her happy though. He began to rise, taking her comment as his cue to leave, even though the food hadn't been touched. He looked over at her questioningly, wanting to make sure he was picking up on things correctly.

[Lili Walser]

"Oh, please do. I... I will write him a proper note, but later..." Lili looked up at Basch again, her smile still present but far dimmed from what it had been moments before. "It will just take time for me to find the proper words to express how grateful I am. It's such a lovely gift... " She'd certainly treasure it forever.

When he started to rise, she tilted her head. "O-oh... must you go?" She hadn't meant to imply... well... but if he had duties to attend to, then she'd be the last to keep him. "Y-you haven't eaten yet..." Oh, but that sounded like she was trying to keep him, didn't it? "P-please... don't feel like you have to rush off..." She wasn't doing a good job of this, was she? "U-unless... unless you've something you must attend to." There. That was better. "I... I understand if you do."

She tucked her chin slightly, looking up at him through her lashes. "It's just... it's so nice to sit and talk with someone... but... but if you've work, I wouldn't want to keep you..." She knew how important the work the military did was. They... they helped stop attacks on innocent people. Like what had happened to... what had happened.

[switzerland]

“I'm sure he would appreciate that as well,” he said honestly. Basch could honestly say the Commodore would appreciate just about anything that was given to him short of a disease or physical harm. He had a way about him that seemed to accept gifts and the words of others readily and thankfully. Though Basch never felt like that fully extended to him. When his father looked at him, he could see other things in his eyes. Things he would move mountains to identify but had to fake contentment without that knowledge.

Basch lowered himself back into his seat awkwardly when she questioned him. So he had gotten it wrong afterward. That gave him a great feeling inside, though that had to slide over for guilt as she finished her last statement. How could he leave after that? “N-no, I can stay a little longer. I was simply unsure of your feelings on the matter and didn't wish to stay past my welcome.” And that was true, he hadn't been trying to run out on her.

“By now I would be ruining whatever sense of rhythm they had picked up, anyway. Better to start fresh with them tomorrow and whatever letters I need to look over will still be there in the evening.” Hopefully there wouldn't be a stack of reports on his desk when he got back. His commanding officer could accumulate a lot of mail and it was his job to actually look through it and screen what was truly important enough for a man of that standing's attention.

[Lili Walser]

"Oh... do you really think so?" Lili certainly hoped that the Commodore would appreciate a thank you note. It was only proper to send one, but sometimes she wondered if anyone ever truly read them. Of course she did - and she had a small box of notes tucked into her vanity drawer. All sorts of correspondences; it was nice to keep them so that she could read them when she was feeling lonely. Of course, there were those that she doubted she'd ever read again... those were bundled together at the bottom of the box, tied with a black ribbon. She couldn't bring herself to untie it and go through those letters again... the sadness would overwhelm her.

"I... I'm glad." She smiled faintly, hesitantly, at him. "A-after all... you haven't tried Louisa's baking yet..." There were plenty of tarts and cookies and the sandwiches and strawberries off to the side. "Please... help yourself to anything..." She would eat as well, but only after she saw him eating. That was only polite. And besides, she wouldn't want to take anything that he might want to try; she'd had it all before.

Sarah looked up, then immediately went back to her mending. It was remarkable to her, really, that Miss Walser could be so entirely upset and still play the part of a proper hostess. Thus far, she hadn't really let her emotions get the better of her - though Sarah would be finding out who had suggested using this particular tea set and give them a severe talking to later on. Miss Walser didn't need that today. At least she'd handled it well... poor dear was having to grow up far too quickly. Had had to grow up far too quickly. It wasn't fair.

[switzerland]

“He has quite a reputation about those kinds of things, actually,” Basch mused now that the subject was really breached. He wouldn't say too much as the Lady hadn't asked for his or his father's life story, but he would at least say enough to assure her that if she wrote a letter, his father wouldn't just toss it in a pile. This reputation for high social skills was often what people expected when they met Basch, which left them disappointed. “He's very good at managing his time and making sure he makes room for things like that. If you write him, he'll read it and respond himself.”

Basch looked over at the assorted pastries and other foods. He could eat, which was fortunate since proper manners dictated that he at least sample something. He reached over to grab a cookie. “Thank you, it's a very generous spread,” he said before taking a bite. He didn't eat a lot of cookies or sweets in general, but he knew that he liked this one. “And it's very good,” he said after he swallowed it. “Miss Louisa did a good job...” He wished he had a more elegant way to say that, but he hadn't been able to come up with one.

It was becoming a little easier to speak with her, she really did seem interested in him staying... “Do you live alone, Miss Walser?” He asked, “Aside from your staff?” It hadn't occurred to him before, but that seemed odd to him. There wasn't exactly a written book one could study, but if both her parents were gone and no siblings were in site... That would explain why she wasn't eager for him to leave.

[Lili Walser]

"Th-then I'll certainly send him a note..." And she would. Not only was it the right thing to do, with such an exquisite gift (not to mention any gift given ever), but she'd said she would now... a-and she would. Why was she arguing with herself? Goodness. Today was... today.

"I do hope you like it..." She murmured, watching him reach for a cookie. She waited until he had it in his possession before reaching for a small strawberry pastry herself. The chocolate covered strawberries would wait for a moment... she'd let him eat the cookie, then offer him his choice of berry. After all... she couldn't keep them for herself when she had a guest. That would just be horridly rude. The only person she'd play that game with was Gilbert, truly. And only because she knew that he'd know she'd eventually share.

As he stated that Louisa had done a good job, she smiled slightly again. "Y-yes... I... I'll be certain to pass your compliments on to her." She said it with only the best intentions in mind; it would please Louisa to know that someone other than her usual crowd had enjoyed the sweets. Lili complimented her all the time... and Louisa just told her not to be silly, that she was only doing her job, and enjoying it in the meantime besides. Perhaps now that the Lieutenant had agreed, Louisa would accept the compliment.

"O-oh... N-no. My... My cousin lives with me now... He... he decided to stay here so that I didn't have to move my belongings... I-It's just that he's at work today." She sipped her tea, considering. "Perhaps you know him? Commander Gilbert Beilschmidt..."